Judge bars China’s first gay marriage

A judge has ruled against a gay couple in a same-sex marriage case that was seen as a landmark moment for China’s emerging LGBT rights movement.

The court in the central city of Changsha dismissed the suit brought against the local civil affairs bureau for refusing to issue the couple a marriage registration certificate.

Their lawyer Shi Funong said he expected the judge would rule against them, but not so soon — within a few hours.

“It goes against the spirit of the laws of the people’s republic of China,” Shi said.

Plaintiff Sun Wenlin said he would appeal. The case comes amid growing awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues in China, where society and government have generally frowned on non-traditional expressions of gender and sexuality.

China doesn’t legally recognise same-sex marriage and government officials have said that they do not see the law changing soon.

Sun, his partner Hu Mingliang, and the lawyer entered Furong District courthouse amid cheers from 300 supporters, some of whom had waited outside since 5am, or travelled overnight from neighbouring provinces.